Searching for Spirituality

 

How desperate was the love of God? Consider this story from South America. There were two warring tribes in the Andes. One nation lived in the lowlands and the other high in the mountains. The mountain people invaded the lowlanders one day, and as part of their plundering of the people, they kidnapped a baby of one of the lowlander families and took the infant with them back up into the mountains. The valley tribe didn’t know how to climb the mountains. The mountains were unknown to them. They didn’t know any of the trails that the mountain people used, and they didn’t know where to find the mountain people or how to track them in the steep terrain. Even so, they sent out their best party of fighting men to climb the mountain and bring the baby home. The men tried first one method of climbing and then another. They tried one trail, and then another. After several days of trial, however, they had little to show for their efforts, and feared that, were they to continue, they’d lose their bearings and never find a way out. Feeling hopeless and helpless, the lowlander men decided that the cause was lost, and they prepared to return to their village below. As they were packing their gear for the descent, they were startled to see someone approaching them on the trail. It was the baby’s mother! They realized that she was coming down the mountain that they themselves - experienced warriors, and men - hadn’t figured out how to climb. How had this woman reached heights they had not been able to reach? And then they were further astonished when they saw that she had the baby strapped to her back. How could that be? Their leader said, “We couldn’t climb this mountain. How did you do this when we, the strongest and most able men in the village, couldn’t do it?” She shrugged her shoulders and said, “It wasn’t your baby.”

The power of love! When you love someone, there’s almost nothing you won’t do for the one you love. We are the children of God. We were lost, but God found a way to find us., “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son …” - Timothy Merrill

[Galatians 5:22-23] Spirituality is a highly sought after quality and has been throughout the ages. In the ancient city of Ephesus, sacred prostitutes served daily in the temple of Diana because it was thought sexual union brought closer union with the gods. Mothers have thrown their babies into the crocodile-infested Ganges River in their search for greater spirituality. In Jesus’ own day, Jews washed meticulously, dressed ridiculously, and wouldn’t eat an egg that had been laid on the Sabbath, in their quest for greater spirituality.

What is spirituality? W.E. Vine writes, regarding spirituality and the spiritual man: “Things that have their origin in God, and which, therefore, are in harmony with His character…the spiritual man walks by the Spirit… and manifests the fruit of the Spirit in his life.” It is that quality of life that results from a right relationship with God. It is evidenced by such spiritual things as love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The essence of spirituality is reflected in Paul’s prayer for the church at Philippi. He prayed that they would approve the things that are excellent, and that they would be sincere and without offence until Christ came (Philippians 1:10). That should be everyone’s goal. Spiritual men (and women) must have eternal values - following the divine standard. They must live a distinctive life. Our search for spirituality will not be complete until we learn the will of God and make it our own. We must become serious Bible students. The Bible, understood and applied, makes for spiritual men and women. Spirituality may be a difficult concept to define, but a spiritual person is easily recognizable. God can and is willing to rescue you.

Remembering God All Year

 

The first few days, even weeks, of January are sort of shocking. Most of us can’t believe another year has flown by. In some ways, January is an exciting month because it is a transitional month — a month of beginnings. In fact, the name of this month has associations with this very concept of beginnings, doorways, openings, gateways, and transitions. There’s little doubt that the name derives from the Roman god Janus, who is usually depicted as having two faces - one looking to the past and one to the future - the god of beginnings, opportunities, and transitions on the Roman calendar.

This is a perfect moment to consider which direction we’re going as we face the year unfolding before us. The question for us as we enter the year 2026 is whether we will look forward through the eyes of faith, or backward toward what once was. And the Bible can help us, particularly, with Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In chapter 3, the apostle writes: “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal…” (vv. 13-14).

So, will we look backward or look forward? It’s not always a dreadful thing to look back on the past. In fact, in the Bible we are given constant reminders to “…forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). Looking back and remembering. Samuel, the last judge of Israel, took a stone after Israel scored a stunning victory over the Philistines, and named it Eben-Ezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). Looking back and remembering. Looking backward, setting up a few stones, remembering the goodness of God, and counting your blessings is a good thing - an exercise worth doing.

But looking backward can also be dangerous and destructive. Will we pine and mope over missed opportunities, or will we face forward with the eyes of faith to see what God might have in store for us? Let’s have a forward face filled with faith as we enter this new year! - Timothy Merrill O God of new beginnings, open my eyes to see your glory. Amen.

[Romans 5:6-8] Thankfulness is an attitude of heart and mind that expresses itself in speech and action. Most of us have experienced ingratitude from another sometime in our life, and such an experience is less than satisfying. I often wonder how God feels at His creation’s ingratitude. How many have felt God’s sunshine, breathed God’s air, been blessed with God’s rain, and yet never stopped to think of or thank the creator of all such things? Many, I’m sure, never gave a thought to God, though they are here by God’s grace and live by God’s favor. What ingrates we humans can be.

Even more, think about the greatest gift God has conferred upon man – the gift of His Son, Jesus, the Christ. Yet many go through life, day after day without ever acknowledging this great gift. When we were undeserving – when we were yet enemies of God – the Father, in infinite love, gave His Son to die on our behalf. God’s lovely and innocent Son paid the debt we owed, took upon Himself the penalty we deserved, and accepted punishment for transgressions we have committed. And this beneficent sacrifice was motivated by great, matchless, unbounded, and unearned love from God toward us: “For God so loved the world (you and me), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Not just at this time of the year, but in ever season of life – we should be always thankful, always grateful, always appreciative, to our great God. The apostle Paul wrote, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). I pray God’s blessings on you and yours in 2026.

New Year Resolutions

 

It’s a new year already, and while we may be amazed at the fleeting nature of 2025, most of us, once again, are making new year resolutions. My list looks terribly familiar. In fact, it is similar to the list I made last year. It’s a new year, so why not look at things in a new way?

What if I tossed out every resolution and started over? Perhaps I should start each day with something new and different. I could write one thing each day for which I am grateful. Tomorrow, perhaps the goal will be to notice the natural world around me, like the trees dancing in the wind or the muted hues of the winter sun. Each new day offers something new.

The possibilities are endless. You could sort through a box of photographs. You might intentionally notice you’re breathing and feel the restorative power of a deep breath. You might pray for a friend. You could work a crossword puzzle. It is possible to do one new thing every day. At the very least, you can make the attempt - and that counts.

Perhaps you could keep a journal of each day’s new thing. But a list of resolutions? I tend to repeat the same ones. Starting every day with something new, however, is an intriguing idea and for that I am grateful. And there’s not much more importance in life than gratitude. —Melanie Silva

[Hebrews 11:6] Our highest aim in life should be that of “pleasing god.” How do we do this? “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Faith is more than intellectual consent that God exists. It is truly believing in God, trusting Him fully and then obeying His commands. Note both words “faith” and “believe” occur in the passage, one being a noun and the other a verb. What does “faith” do? How does “believing” act? FAITH is a lifestyle. “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:38). Both Enoch and Noah “walked with God” (Genesis 5:24; 6”9). A way of life for them. FAITH obeys God. It is impossible to claim to have a saving faith without carefully obeying God. A FAITH that does not obey is no faith at all. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26). “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8). FAITH makes right decisions, even choosing suffering over treasures. “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin…” (Hebrews 11:24-25). Finally, our FAITH will be counted as righteousness (Romans 4:22). How wonderful it is to please God by living and walking in FAITH!

Wouldn’t this old world be better if folks we met would say, “I know something good about you!” And then treat us just that way? Wouldn’t it be fine and dandy, if each handclasp, warm and true, carried with it this assurance, “I know something good about you?” Wouldn’t life be lots happier, if the good that’s in us all were the only thing about us that folks bothered to recall? Wouldn’t it be nice to practice that fine way of thinking, too; You know something good about me; I know something good about you?

God of us all, as we stand on the threshold of a new year, keep us mindful that no matter where our year takes us, you are with us. For the gift of life and new beginnings, we offer our thanks! Amen.

May you and God become a glorious mix in 2026 on the Road To Forever together.

Be The Best You Can be

 

We are on the cusp of a new year. The past year has been another unusual and stressful time in the history of the United States and the world. It has challenged us in many ways. Now we look ahead to the new year. We cannot possibly know what awaits us. But we can establish standards, boundaries, goals and markers. Some people call these resolutions.

Goals are a good thing. Just the process alone can help us identify strengths and weaknesses. So, as you look at 2026, and as you assess your present situation, wherever you may be, what resolutions will you make?

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), the great Puritan preacher, once prepared a list of more than 70 resolutions. Here are a few of them: · Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, · Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live. · Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can. · Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, as if it were the last hour of my life. · Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge. · Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone. · Resolved, to let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. · Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking. · Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it. · Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance. · Resolved, to study the Scriptures, so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

[1 Timothy 4:12] “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Timothy in the Bible was a young man and a preacher. He had been a protégé of the great apostle Paul, and Paul had left him to minister in Ephesus. Paul knew the great potential within him, so when he wrote his first epistle to Timothy, He wanted to encourage the young man to be the best that he could be.

There’s a saying that has become popular of late that I really like. It is this: “Be the best version of yourself.” I like it because it does emphasize being yourself. It is important to be you, to be unique, and to be who God made you. Don’t change that. But it’s also important to be the best possible you. And what Paul is reminding Timothy of is that he needs to be the best possible version of himself. He was an exceptional young man, and he could do a lot of good if he reached his full potential. But to do that he needs to be to be the best possible version of himself in his words, actions, and even inside of his very being.

Someone once noted that “Most people are human ‘doings’ – we need to be human ‘beings’.” That’s true. Most people focus on what they do (i.e. merit through human effort). Let us focus more on what to “be.” “Being” means that it becomes an integral part of us. If we change the “being” aspect of our lives, then the proper “doings” will follow. Be a Christian. Be faithful. Be kind-hearted. Be loving. Be compassionate. Be concerned. Be forgiving. Be the best version of yourself – from the inside out. If you be the best version of yourself, would your family be happier or more miserable? If you be the best version of yourself, would your church family be friendlier or more unfriendly? If you be the best version of yourself, would the world be better or worse? The answers are obvious.  

“Be all God wants you to be.” “Be the best version of yourself.”

May the coming year hold many blessings and joys for you as you love God and serve him every day! Prayer: Grant, O God, the strength to do your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God's Incredible Gift!

 

As we were putting out cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, I accidentally dropped one. “No problem,” I said, picking it up and dusting it off before placing it back on the plate. “You can’t do that,” argued my four-year-old. “Don’t worry. Santa will never know.” He shot me a look. “So, he knows if I’ve been bad or good, but he doesn’t know the cookie fell on the floor?”

The line starts to form around 4:30 in the morning. The goal of the people in line is to buy up the stock of doughnuts at Donut City, a small, family-owned shop in Seal Beach, California. By 7:30 the doughnuts had all been purchased.

The motivation of the buyouts? To allow the shop owner, John Chhan, to be able to leave work and be with his ailing wife, Stella, who recently suffered an aneurysm. The Chhans opened the shop over 30 years ago and have had a steady stream of regular and loyal customers throughout the decades. John and Stella worked side by side the entire time. She would make the doughnuts, and he would sell them. When Stella became sick, John refused to allow his customers to set up any crowdfunding sites to help with medical expenses. That’s when the patrons came up with the buyout plan. Out of love for the Chhans, people regularly pay the price so a husband and wife can be together as much as possible.

[Romans 5:12; 6:23] Sin entered the world through disobedience of God’s word in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3), and the wage of sin is death (God sacrificed animals, the first blood sacrifice for sin, and made coverings for Adam and Eve to wear; Genesis 3:21).

People without Christ as their Savior are deathly ill. God wants badly for those people not to die, but to live with Him for eternity (John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” God is patiently awaiting our repentance for sin.

So that humanity would have the opportunity to spend eternity with God, a buyout had to take place, and Jesus was the price for that buyout (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Sin had to be paid for in order for it to be removed from those willing to accept God’s offer of salvation.

Colossians 1:13 states that God has transferred us from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of His beloved Son. According to verse 14, the payment for that transfer was God’s Son, Himself (the final blood sacrifice for sin). The motivation for the buyout? To allow humankind to be with God for eternity. The price has been paid out of God’s love for humanity. God is not willing that any should perish in their sins.

The Christmas holidays are upon us, and the world around us is filled with the noble notions of gift-giving. “What am I going to get my spouse?” “Will my kids like this gift?” “What can I do for my boss and co-workers?” Giving gifts is a godly behavior, and we should all remember that our Lord said it is better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

It is good to rejoice in giving! But in all of our giving, did we remember to put God on our list? Did we remember to present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2)? Did we think to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him (Colossians 1:10)? Did we remember to wrap up a huge present of thankfulness for our salvation through Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:12)?

In all the hubbub and scrambling to find the perfect present for those we love, did you remember to put the Lord on your list? Let’s remember Him today and every day for His indescribable gift (2 Corinthians. 9:15)! “Thanks be to God for His incredible gift” - JESUS